Rise of the Shadows

Chapter 7: North's Nightmare

Again, this took a lot longer than expected. But hey! I haven't quit on this! I wrote this while flying so, forgive me if there are any errors, spelling wise or grammatical. I will go back to go them later.

I do hope you all enjoy! Tell me what you think! Your reviews always make my day and inspire me to continue writing this story. Happy Holidays! Consider this as your early Christmas present. I love ya all! Please read and review. Enjoy!

Chapter 7

(In Santoff Clausen)

A rather tall man with a long white beard came out of a large tree. The man was wearing gray blue flowing robes that skimmed the floor as he walked forwards holding a staff that had a rather large knot at the top. His faded blue eyes held a wisdom beyond any of their years. He looked beyond any of their years as well. "Nicholas! It's been awhile my friend."

Jack was the only of the four to turn to North mouth agape.

North shrugged off the young spirits reaction stepping forward gripping the man by his shoulders. "Ombric, how I have missed this place. But we must go inside to talk. Big Root is the only place I trust at the moment."

Ombric nodded in silent understanding motioning to the doorway. "Come. Let us go in."

Toothiana was the first to flutter in the rest following after. As Jack walked in he once again found his jaw on a free fall to the floor. "Whoa."

The inside of the tree, or Big Root as North had called it, was in every way indescribable. Much like the North Pole, objects flew through the air to their said destination. Jack was pulled from his awe as the older man spoke. "In here." Ombric opened another door leading to a room that resembled a study. Once everyone was in the room he spoke again. "What is it you need to tell me?"

"It's pitch. We believe he is making the move of returning."

The older man sat on a chair behind a desk filled with pages and other books. "Did you not defeat him? I had heard that this young man" he motioned to Jack "sent him back into the shadows. Why would he arise now? How would his power have regained that quickly?"

"I do not know Ombric. It is a mystery to all of us. But that is why we came here

. It's safest here. There's more protection from his nightmares-"

The wizard lifted a hand to silence him "Only for some time. You know as well as I that Pitch can still find his ways into Big Root. Tell me again why you believe Pitch is back?"

North moved over to the wall, adorned with books of ever kind, seeming to be avoiding the question. "Did Katherine make these?"

"Some of them. Yes. Now would you please answer my question? I'd call you my young apprentice" he chuckled his gray blue eyes glinting "but you seem to have outgrown that title long ago."

"Nightmares are rampant. They plague the dreams of children once more. Only this time it is not only the children." Wonder filled eyes shifted to the floor, the other guardians looked at him in interest. The Sandman most of all, a golden question mark appearing above his head. "Pitch is targeting others as well."

Bunny stepped forward "What do you mean 'others' mate?"

"He is making his way towards us. I know Jack has been plagued by nightmares-"

Toothiana's feathers instantly ruffled "What?! Jack why didn't you tell us?"

The immortal teen shifted his bare feet awkwardly his icy blue eyes finding a sudden interest in the floor. "I didn't want to worry any of you." He then looked up at North. "How did you know?"

"I could see the signs of restlessness. I knew you had not been sleeping well. Was lucky guess." He smiled sadly at Jack "but it's no longer only Jack. He breached my mind last night."

Ombric's thick white eyebrows furrowed together making him look as if he had only one eyebrow. "Nicholas. You had a nightmare?"

The normally jolly man nodded solemnly. "Yes. It was on something I had not thought about in a long time."

...

(North's Nightmare)

A tall young figure in his mid-twenties stood before many small, stone figures of fallen bandits. The man had black hair, a mustache and goatee to join it. His sky blue eyes filled with terror at the sight of his fellow comrades. Taking a step back he spun quickly as the sound of a scream filled the air, a dark voice following after.

"Come North...come save your newest guardian." Another agony filled scream pierced the air.

Blue eyes widened in recognition "Jack!" Skilled hands clutched his scimitars running towards the sound of the voice.

Pain exploded through young North's side as he found himself careening through the air. Turning onto his back North looked up in terror finding his swords again.

A massive bear towered before him standing on it's hind legs. Pitch's voice echoed once more. "Maybe this time, you'll stay dead!" North had to duck as a huge bear paw came down, swiping at his head. He slid under it between it's legs slicing the sides of them causing the creature to roar out it's anger.

Quickly jumping to his feet North spun one sword in his hand. Surprise hit him as the bear was no longer there. Cautiously he moved backwards turning his head from side to side until he suddenly came to a stop. His back was now pressed up to something big. Something squishy. Something breathing. He looked up with dread in his eyes staring back at him were the black eyes of the bear.

He felt as if he were shrinking. And maybe he was. Was he? North looked down at his hands finding them to still be his normal hands, but one, no two things were missing. His scimitars.

Pitch's laugh echoed through the forest clearing. "How does it feel North? To be so helpless?" Pitch's dark form slowly made it's way out of the shadows from the tree line.

North was not able to respond as the air was knocked out of his lungs as the bear's paw came crashing down on his form knocking him to the ground. Slowly the bear pushed down on him increasing the pressure on his body, a scream ripping past North's lips.

Pitch only laughed again cruelly. With a flick of his wrist, smoke rose from the forest floor. Once cleared Jack lay bound and bloodied where the smoke once was.

North's eyes widened once again. Straining as he spoke "Jack!" The winter spirit struggled against the bindings trying to reach North, tears in his eyes. The Spirit of Wonder cried out as his body was crushed more into the ground beneath him, black spots dancing across his vision.

"You've failed him again North. You always will." Pitch sneered down at him. Forming a sand scythe slowly, he swiftly brought it down on Jack.

Icy blue eyes widened before dimming quickly, the teen slumping against the bindings blood pooling under him.

North had no choice but to watch in horror. "No!" He held back another scream as the pressure from the bear increased.

"Nighty night North. For good!"

There was searing pain...

And just like that everything went back.

And North, with his rosy cheeks and gray hair and beard. Woke up.

...